ALBANY – Marcellus Rivers, a rookie tight end vying for a spot on the Giants’ roster, said yesterday “it is not hard at all” to concentrate on football despite having his name linked to a federal lawsuit involving him in an alleged rape two years ago at Oklahoma State.

A former Oklahoma State student, Alison Jennings, said that in 1999 she had been raped by four members of the school’s football team during a party. No criminal charges were ever filed, but this week the 22-year old woman filed a federal lawsuit in Oklahoma City charging sexual assault, infliction of emotional distress and deprivation of civil rights. Rivers and three former teammates were named in the suit.

“That’s the least of my worries,” said Rivers, who is married and has two children and has denied any physical contact with the woman. “I’m really not worried about it. It’s in the past. I told my wife not to worry about it.”

Rivers has a legitimate chance to make the team as the third tight end.

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Jim Fassel seems to pay extra attention to WR Ron Dixon, who figures to have an upgraded role this season. Fassel, though, did not like two drops by Dixon yesterday morning. “C’mon Dixon, hustle your [butt] back, don’t mope around,” Fassel shouted. In the afternoon, Dixon rebounded nicely. “The last thing he said to me was, ‘I did much better this afternoon, didn’t I?’ ” Fassel said. “He did.” . . . DT Cornelius Griffin (groin) did not practice . . . Tiki Barber remains the No. 1 punt returner but CB Will Allen has shown good enough hands to warrant a look in preseason games.

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What’s the main difference between this camp and last year for Fassel? “I don’t have to field the question of whether I’m going to be back next year,” he said . . . Injured RB Sean Bennett (hamstring) might be able to return by late next week . . . Howard Cross’ wife, Pia, gave birth to twins, Howard Jr. and Isabella, at Hackensack Medical Center yesterday . . . Aggressive DE Frank Ferrara is at it again. He was scolded by Fassel twice, first for coming close to hitting QB Jesse Palmer, then for all but tackling RB Damon Washington.